Deflower Me If You Can Chapter 14

When he was young, that large, ancient castle had been terrifying beyond measure. The suits of armor lined up in the empty corridors were particularly objects of fear, and whenever he had to pass through them at night, he would often run with all his might, convinced they might suddenly come to life. Looking back now, it was laughable, but still.

A child’s delusions, after all.

He let out a snort of laughter, weaving his car through the traffic as he drove. Gradually, the number of cars around him dwindled. By the time he turned onto the road leading to the castle that had been passed down through generations of his family, a sigh of relief escaped Cassian Strickland’s lips of its own accord.

He finally felt the reality of vacation sinking in. Thinking back on being hounded by reports, assignments, and exams all semester, the sense of liberation was indescribable. He was in such good spirits that he could even tolerate an aria playing on the radio—one he normally hated. One might call it the so-called perfect mood.

With one hand on the steering wheel and the other arm resting on the sports car’s window frame, he sped down the road, wearing dark sunglasses and whistling sporadically. Anyone could see he was utterly at ease.

This vacation, I’m going to have as much fun as I want.

He would rest to his heart’s content. Since this was his first vacation after starting university, he was determined to try everything—things he’d never do again in his lifetime. The car racing down the empty road roared with engine noise, but he paid it no mind. After driving for about another thirty minutes, an enormous castle came into view in the distance.

Finally.

The Strickland fortress, composed of four castles of varying sizes, kept only the largest main castle closed to the public while the other three were open—anyone could see them as long as they paid the admission fee. Passing the cars lined up for entry, Cassian headed for the separate private gate and slowed down in front of the security booth. The attendant, recognizing Cassian’s car approaching from a distance, hurried out of the booth to greet him.

“Welcome back, young master.”

Cassian smiled and nodded at the guard who greeted him warmly, then sped up again. Inside the cars waiting in line for inspection, people scrambled to take photos and videos with their phones, but he was gone in an instant. Whistling cheerfully, he finally reached the main castle, where attendants, having received advance notice from the security booth, were waiting outside.

“Welcome home, young master. You must have had a long drive.”

Cassian gave a light nod to the attendants who bowed respectfully, got out of the car, and handed over the keys. Leaving the attendants to immediately open the trunk and start unloading his luggage, he walked into the castle. His steps were lighter than ever.

By now, his mother would have received word of his arrival. Even during the semester, he’d dropped by the main house whenever he had the chance, and each time, his mother would run out to the entrance to greet him. Since he’d given notice that he was coming today, she would certainly know.

But strangely, the duchess was nowhere to be seen. He found it puzzling for a moment, but quickly decided it didn’t matter, and headed straight up the stairs toward his mother’s room.

Knock, knock. He knocked, and a voice came from inside. After a brief pause, he opened the door, and as expected, his mother was seated at the tea table, drinking tea.

“Cassian.”

“Mother.”

She called his name joyfully, rising from her seat and opening her arms wide. Cassian willingly walked over and embraced her.

“Mother, have you been well?”

“Yes, and you look well too.”

The duchess patted his back affectionately, then pulled back with a bright smile. Her warm eyes were just as they’d always been when looking at him, but for some reason, Cassian felt a peculiar sensation.

“You seem in awfully good spirits.”

At Cassian’s words, the duchess smiled even more brightly and replied.

“Of course I am—you’re here, aren’t you?”

“Y-yes…”

Cassian laughed awkwardly, but somehow the uneasy feeling wouldn’t go away. What is it? I keep getting this bad premonition.

“Cassian.”

Snapped out of his thoughts by her voice, Cassian looked down to see his mother looking up at him with a puzzled expression. He quickly changed the subject, pretending nothing was wrong.

“What time is dinner? Will Father be late today?”

At the ordinary question, his mother readily answered.

“I was thinking around seven—would that be alright? If you’d like to rest, eight is fine too.”

Then she added briefly.

“He said he’d be here before seven. You rest in your room, then come down and greet him at dinner.”

“Understood. Then… let’s make it eight.”

Cassian checked his wristwatch and set the time. He’d gotten dusty during the drive, so he wanted to take his time and wash up thoroughly.

“Then I’ll see you later. You worked hard coming here, my dear.”

The duchess kissed his cheek and smiled. Cassian smiled back at her, then turned and left the room.

Cassian’s room was at the opposite end of the corridor. He walked leisurely, passing through the empty corridor lined with the rows of armored knights that had terrified him so much as a child. Come to think of it, he did feel a bit tired. Rubbing the back of his neck as he walked, he soon arrived at his door. He opened it readily and stepped inside, his neatly arranged room coming into view.

Since he’d said he was coming, the attendants must have been busy since early morning, cleaning the room that had been left empty. Imagining his mother bustling about, giving all sorts of orders and fussing over everything, he felt grateful and his lips relaxed. He finally felt like he was truly home, and at the same time, a languidness washed over him as if all the tension had drained from his body.

Eager to wash the dust off with hot water, Cassian walked across the room and carelessly tossed his clothes onto the sofa in the adjoining living area. His next destination was, of course, the bathroom. He opened the connecting door, stepped inside, and immediately started the shower.

“Ahhh.”

Cassian let out a satisfied sigh under the hot water. It felt as though all the accumulated stress and fatigue of the past months were washing away at once. Recalling the saying that there’s no place like home, he soaped every corner and scrubbed off the dust. There was plenty of time. As he slowly washed himself, he thought about the days ahead.

Vacation was just beginning. He’d thrown himself into his studies like a madman all semester to enjoy his first break since starting university. This vacation, he planned to do all the crazy things he’d never done before. Stupid stunts like jumping naked into a lake, drinking all night and passing out wherever, spending a night with someone who caught his fancy.

Until now, he’d lived what could be called an “exemplary” life. He could pride himself on having handled his relationships flawlessly as the heir to the “Strickland ducal house.” He always had a girlfriend, but he’d always kept an appropriate distance, and even when they parted, he did his best to ensure there were no loose ends.

He was single now, having recently broken up, but he’d probably find a new partner soon. This was also part of the reason he’d designated this vacation as a “period of deviation.” After all, once he started dating a new girlfriend, he’d naturally have to be devoted to her, and then he wouldn’t be able to indulge in deviations anymore.

One wild phase is enough for a lifetime.

And he had seized this vacation as that opportunity. The public reputation of “Cassian Strickland” was truly top-notch. The fact that he was a beta was not an issue. He was the only heir to the ducal house, and he excelled in appearance as well as various other fields, often enough to be mistaken for an alpha. On the contrary, he was often regarded in public opinion as far superior to alphas. No matter how you dressed it up, wasn’t going through a “heat” just the same as being an animal? Even if extreme alphas controlled their urges, there was nothing special about it. It was a problem easily solved with a condom.

Anyway, what’s the point when pheromones build up and cause memory impairment, and they can’t even control their urges in the end?

Cassian smirked and turned off the faucet. Stepping out of the shower, he picked up the large, neatly folded towel and rubbed his soaking wet body, lost in thought. He’d endured and lived diligently all this time, so this vacation, he was determined to do everything without regrets.